Responsibility
Circularity
Circularity at Bang & Olufsen
Our ambition is to lead and inspire a movement towards a circular, regenerative future by creating Luxury Timeless Technology products and experiences – from the first user to the last. At Bang & Olufsen, circularity is not just a design principle, it’s a commitment to redefining luxury through sustainability. We believe that premium products should not come at the expense of the planet. That’s why we embed circular thinking across the entire product lifecycle: from sourcing and design to use, reuse, and recovery. Our approach is guided by durability, modularity, and material responsibility, ensuring that every product we create contributes to a more regenerative and resource-efficient future.
Cradle To Cradle
Cradle to Cradle Certified® is a circular design philosophy, framework, and certification standard, which aims to support sustainable development and circular change by introducing an approach of longevity and circularity through serviceability, customizability and upgradeability to product design. What’s more, this world-leading standard is science-based, volunteer-led and audited by a third party, ensuring that the rigorous standards it sets are adhered to as closely as possible.
Bang & Olufsen’s Cradle to Cradle Certified® products ensure that when the day comes where they reach the end of the first useful lifecycle, they can reenter the loop through a second lifecycle and hence circulate longer instead of ending up as waste.
Design for longevity
We design our products to stand the test of time, both in terms of aesthetics, function and performance. Our iconic design language emphasizes timelessness, helping reduce the need for frequent replacements. Products are engineered with a modular architecture that allows for easy disassembly, repair, and upgrades whenever possible. To ensure we are making informed decisions, we conduct lifecycle assessments that evaluate environmental impact and guide continuous design improvements.
Circular materials & responsible sourcing
We are committed to increasing the use of recycled and renewable materials across our product lines. We are committed to having 50% or more of recycled aluminium by 2030, and we are actively expanding our use of recycled materials. Our sourcing practices emphasize responsibility, with close collaboration between our teams and suppliers.
Repairability & upgradability
We empower our customers to extend the life of their products through accessible repair and upgrade options. Spare parts are made available for at least ten years for key product lines, and we provide ongoing software updates to maintain functionality and security. Our global service network supports local repair and refurbishment, helping reduce waste and promote a circular economy.
Take back & recycling programmes
We take responsibility for our products even after their use. We continue to develop our take-back program , and we strive to offer a second life or make sure to facilitate responsible recycling. We partner with certified e-waste recyclers to recover valuable materials and minimize landfill contributions.
Circular innovation & partnerships
We continue to invest in innovation to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Our R&D teams are exploring closed-loop recycling systems, recycled materials , and modular electronics. Key initiatives include CirkEL, our design framework focused on repairability and recyclability; REECirkel, which targets rare earth magnet recycling; and Tackling Fixophobia, a movement aimed at transforming the consumer mindset toward a repair economy.
We also collaborate with universities, startups, and industry groups to scale circular solutions.
We launched pilot programmes testing product-as-a-service models and advanced material recovery systems, paving the way for more sustainable business models.
Contact
Nicolai Ellehuus Global Director of Corporate Responsibility sustainability@bang-olufsen.dk